Hays Receives 1999 Business Leader Award

Falls News-Press, January 16, 2000

Jack Hayes, president of Connecting Touch Therapy and Wellness Center Inc., a Cuyahoga Falls-based therapeutic massage company, has been selected to receive the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award, sponsored by the Wal- Mart Foundation and, locally, by Sam's Club of Fairlawn.

Hayes was chosen by the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce for this honor, based on his work on behalf of others. The award is presented to business leaders for exceptional commitment to the community, respect for the individual service to customers and commitment to excellence.

Laura Petrelia, executive director of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce, states: "Jack Hayes is one of the most caring individuals I've ever met. He is so genuine, so kind ... truly an asset to the community-"

The Cuyahoga Falls Chamber, in response to its nomination of Hayes, won a $500 economic grant from Sam's Club.
Hayes, who was employed at Ameritech for 25 years before realizing his dream of becoming a massage therapist, strongly believes in giving back to the community.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed; in addition to various other honors, Hayes was a recipient of Medical Mutual of Ohio's 1998 Pillar Award for Community Service.

Hayes designates a "charity of choice" each month, to which he donates $1 from each massage performed at Connecting Touch. Some of the groups that have benefited from Hayes' generosity include: the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Heart Association, Good Neighbors of Cuyahoga Falls, the Battered Women's Shelter, Haven of Rest, the YWCA Rape and Sexual Assault Services, Victim Assistance, Family Services of Summit County, the Salvation Army and the list goes on. One of Jack Hayes' goals when he established Connecting Touch was to raise awareness of massage therapy as a modality of health and wellness.

He therefore spends a great deal of time speaking to various area civic groups, educating people about the health benefits derived from massage and Reiki.

Additionally, Hayes serves on many area boards and committees, including: the Board of Directors of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce; the Akron Regional Development Board's (ARDB) Small Business Council; and ARDB's executive board for the Small Business Council. Hayes is also president of the Central Cuyahoga Falls Kiwanis, serves on Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital's community health advisory board; is a trustee of the Taylor Memorial Library in Cuyahoga Falls; and is an active member of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary (Club).

About being chosen for the Sam Walton Business Leader Award, Hayes notes: "I am very pleased to have been chosen for this honor. I believe 'strongly that helping others and giving back to my community is the right thing to do ... and it is a pleasure that I greatly enjoy. It makes my soul smile."

Connecting Touch Therapy and Wellness Center Inc. describes itself as a very special place, where customers can relax - even if they aren't having a massage - and "decompress" from the stresses of their lives. Both mate and female massage therapists are available (all licensed by the state of Ohio), plus Reiki and other beneficial treatments.